Drove the 5.0i today

[Bigtop]

I am about to turn in my 4.8i at the end of August. Got to drive the 5.0i with 19 inch tires and also the twin turbo 3.5 litre version with 20 inch tires.

The 5.0 is most certainly faster than the 4.8. The noise from the exhaust is awesome compared to the 4.8 too, sounds much more rorty!

The smaller engined twin turbo most certainly has lag. I have never driven a 3 litre E70 before, but compared to the V8 turbo, no comparison. The turbo lag of the 3.5TT is frustrating when compared back to back to the V8 TT. Once it gets spinning though, it is fun. Rather like riding two stroke sports bikes of old!

Comparing 19 inch wheels to 20 inch wheels. The 20's most certainly feel more planted, like you could really whack this beast around the corners, lots of fun! Bumps are more pronounced and if you did not have Adaptive Drive to soften the suspension setting on rough bumpy roads, the jarring would get old quickly.

[bimmer_buachaill]

Originally Posted by Bigtop

the twin turbo 3.5 litre version

It's a twin turbo 3.0 liter. You'll have to ask the BMW marketing folks why it's a 35.

[JCL]

By the same token, it isn't a 5.0 but rather a 4.4 twin turbo. The 35 and 50 designations don't relate to engine displacement, the same as many other BMW models (318, 325, 328, etc)

[burnin m]

Now that you've been properly reprimanded, thanks for the nice review!

[BGM]

The run-flats are known for being rough vs. regular. It seems like most switch to non-run flats after the RFTs are done. Interesting you said you can feel a little lag on the 35i---some same they feel it. some say they don't.

[Kewl X5]

In the 2011 E70 X5 xDrive 35i, it is the newer 3.0 liter TWIN-SCROLL SINGLE Turbo, NOT the same twin-turbo 3.0 liter engine that was first introduced on the E90 335i.

BMW's marketing has now called the new 3.0 liter Twin-scroll engine "TWIN POWER"

Originally Posted by bimmer_buachaill

It's a twin turbo 3.0 liter. You'll have to ask the BMW marketing folks why it's a 35.

[Kewl X5]

Interestingly enough, I did the same comparison with new 5-series...550i vs. 535i. But, the engine and exhaust sounds are more muted in the 5-series vs the X5. I have to agree with Bigtop...the 4.4 liter twin-tubro engine is much more responsive than the newly designed twin-scroll single turbo 3.0 liter engine. The twin-scroll single turbo 3.0 liter engine does not feel as responsive as the previous twin-turbo 3.0 liter engine.

Originally Posted by Bigtop

I am about to turn in my 4.8i at the end of August. Got to drive the 5.0i with 19 inch tires and also the twin turbo 3.5 litre version with 20 inch tires.

The 5.0 is most certainly faster than the 4.8. The noise from the exhaust is awesome compared to the 4.8 too, sounds much more rorty!

The smaller engined twin turbo most certainly has lag. I have never driven a 3 litre E70 before, but compared to the V8 turbo, no comparison. The turbo lag of the 3.5TT is frustrating when compared back to back to the V8 TT. Once it gets spinning though, it is fun. Rather like riding two stroke sports bikes of old!

Comparing 19 inch wheels to 20 inch wheels. The 20's most certainly feel more planted, like you could really whack this beast around the corners, lots of fun! Bumps are more pronounced and if you did not have Adaptive Drive to soften the suspension setting on rough bumpy roads, the jarring would get old quickly.

[alexmish]

I had similar experience.. I drive 4.8 right now, and decided to test-drive 35i... Even though specs say it has same 0-60 of 6.4s, it was NOT. It felt slower, I had to push engine much harder to make it move... I also happen to have 2010 335xi, with almost the same engine as new X5 35i -- the 3-series is crazy fast, but comes with half weight of X5 though. For me 35i was a no-go...

So I had to make a decision of basically going to 5.0i or 35d.. In the end, given lesser base price and $4500 credit, the 35d came out to be almost $10K cheaper than 5.0i ! Not to mention fuel economy, which is big deal for me since I drive to work almost every day... So, 2011 35d should be in my driveway in a week +/- 2 days.

[Bigtop]

I think ultimately it is what you are used too. Obviously the V8 is going to have more power and quicker low end take off because it has more torque and HP, that is why it was very apparent to me, being used to the 4.8i and then driving the 5.0i and comparing those two to the 35i. Once the 35i got is spinner spinning, it was fun.

I just placed my order at Murray Motors in Denver today. A 5.0i sparkling bronze metallic, Sand Beige Nappa, Sports Activity Package, Premium Package, Rear Climate Package, Cold Weather Package, Adaptive Drive, Multi-Contour Seats, 20" Light Alloy Y-Spoke 336 Wheels, Technology Package, Comfort Access keyless entry, Heated rear seats, Roof rails, Running boards, Automatice High Beams, Space Saver tire.

I ummed and ahhed about the M Sports Package, but for me I personally do not like all the extra fairing and valance work, I think the lines of the regular E70 with running boards, sports black trim and 20" tires looks a lot more trim and aggressive.

Reading another post on this forum about uprating the performance of the 8TT I am going to ask if I can have this done. I guess you can get an additional 40-50 bhp on the X6 with the same engine as an addon directly from the factory, so I am going to try and have it added.

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by Bigtop

Reading another post on this forum about uprating the performance of the 8TT I am going to ask if I can have this done. I guess you can get an additional 40-50 bhp on the X6 with the same engine as an addon directly from the factory, so I am going to try and have it added.

7RR adds 40 hp to the 50i X6 I asked my CA if it was availble on the 2011 X5 but he wasn't sure. Good luck